Liverpool Banter 2

12 Apr 2026 02:14:52
The more I watch Wirtz, the more it feels like Naby Keita. Constantly waiting for him to do something ‘special’, he gets about 80% of the way there, then skies it into row Z, plays a poor pass, or gets thrown off the ball like a toddler. He will be detrimental next season too. If Macca goes, we will have an even poorer version of him in Wirtz to replace him next season. At least Macca shows a bit of dog in him, Wirtz is just a passenger 90% of the time. I’ve seen absolutely nothing of this mythical ’generational talent’ that we are supposed to have bought.

Because we’ve spent so much money on him, we are going to spend the next few years waiting for him to come good, getting excited by the odd game he does something good, but ultimately be let down.

He will be the new Keita. His attitude and absolute lack of fight, urgency or any kind of passion to change a game is infuriating. Him and Ekitike are two who you just want to shake out of their slumber.

I think one of the reasons people are so desperate for Alonso is because they think he will suddenly change Wirtz into a world class star. In reality he just looked good because he was playing in a league where he had 7-21 business days to make a decision on the ball.

12 Apr 2026 04:10:10
April Fools was nearly 2 weeks ago, mate. Wirtz did more in his first month than Keita did in his whole Liverpool career.

12 Apr 2026 04:50:50
I never thought an opinion could be wrong, Bob, but here we are...

12 Apr 2026 05:35:53
You're passing judgement too soon. All our players have struggled this season because of multiple reasons.

Wirtz definitely needs to improve but he's no Keita; he's more like Ozil, in some ways, like that magic/X factor about him, not blessed with power and speed, etc, but that's not the type of player he's meant to be.



Next season, under better management and, hopefully, in a better balanced team, he'll show what we paid for.

12 Apr 2026 06:04:11
This original post is one big pile of codswallop.
1. Wirtz is nothing like Keita. Not in playing style, not in ability, not in personality, nothing. Keita was given an inflated salary for half a decade only to play terribly and, in my opinion, feign injuries.
2. Wirtz a worse version of MacAllister? Wirtz is not a dime less than 10 times the player MacAllister is.
3. Wirtz has an exemplary attitude to football - one of the reasons he chose us stems from such.


4. People want Xabi Alonso because a) he has shown some real promise as a manager and has titles to show it, and b) our current manager is utterly incompetent and will be rightfully sacked the moment the season ends.
As for Ekitike, he looks a talented player but his attitude raises a few alarms.

12 Apr 2026 03:14:41
What's it like to live under a bridge, Bob?

12 Apr 2026 07:41:27
Pure rage bait post this, Bob. Lol.
At least I hope so. If you genuinely believe anything in your post, then you need to stop watching football. It's not for you.

12 Apr 2026 08:09:41
Jesus wept - how can someone be so wrong in their assessment of a player.

12 Apr 2026 08:13:35
Anyone else think Bob is a reincarnation of Negative Walter? The obvious fishing expedition style writing feels too similar to me? What a sad existence that your pleasure is writing shyte to get a rise out of people

12 Apr 2026 08:16:25
How many Wirtz posts are you going to make this season exactly, bob?

12 Apr 2026 08:26:21
Over the top on Wirtz that, but I have to say I've been a bit disappointed by him. He has, no doubt, serious ability, but just doesn't do enough for me. That period before he got injured, he was starting to really affect games, but since he has come back he is the same as at the start of the season, tidy bits and pieces, but not really affecting the game the way u think he could.


I do believe he will become a top player for us when the team is in better shape overall, I definitely think if he is the 10 u need legs, speed and aggression around him. If we were to sell every player who underperformed this season we would only be playing 1 a side, so I certainly wouldn't isolate him, but next season we really would need to see more from him.

12 Apr 2026 08:51:40
"The more I watch Wirtz, the more it feels like Naby Keita"

It would certainly help your analysis to open your eyes first.

12 Apr 2026 09:07:22
How do people think Wirtz has done this season? And how has he done compared to their expectations for him at the start of the season?

Personally, I think he's had a decent season, but I'll be honest, his season has been below what I expected.

Not a Wirtz bashing, but an honest assessment. Hoping, with possibly a different coach, tactics, quicker players around him, and a year's PL experience, he will have a far better season next season.



Amazingly, only Rio, Trey & Leoni are younger than him in this season's first-team squad, so he still has years ahead of him.

Excited to see him continue to grow.

12 Apr 2026 09:11:58
Bob has been against Wirtz since before he signed for us, so tbf to him, he is consistent in his views regarding Wirtz. I wholly disagree with all that he said about Wirtz, but he is entitled to have his own opinion.

12 Apr 2026 09:12:30
I think more than anyone Wirtz needs a good team press. He is not quick enough to press on his own, so in the tactics, he finds it hard to get close to people. He is tenacious, though, so if we were pressing like a team, I think he'll be really effective.

He has all the tools on the ball, but it certainly hasn't lit it up.

You can see it's there, and he has improved throughout the season with some excellent games, but not enough to match his talent. Far too soon to make any long term judgements. Hope to see the best of him next season.

12 Apr 2026 09:13:44
Agree with everyone's comments except Bob's.

12 Apr 2026 10:18:13
He's been average to good. He doesn't do enough in some games, in others, he shows what he's capable of. I think he'll benefit from Isak settling in to the team, and a better out ball option on the right wing in terms of keeping momentum.

He set up Mo a few times last night and the move just stalled as Mo stumbled, must be quite frustrating for him as well.

12 Apr 2026 10:21:27
For Bob's next post: Why Salah's Liverpool career just needed a few goals.

12 Apr 2026 10:22:45
Bob, disappointed in your post, mate, you usually post some good reading.
Wirtz has played with different team mates, no settled partner. He had a bit of a thing with Hugo, now he has to get to know Isak. He has had Maca, Grav, Jones, Sboz being played at different times.

As far as comparison with Naby, Bob, you are way off the mark, my friend.
Wirtz will be the face of Liverpool in seasons to come. He is without doubt the most talented player in the Prem League. YNWA.

12 Apr 2026 11:06:54
I see your point, JK, but ask that same question of the entire squad.

Szobo, Rio... and that's about it for me, and maybe Kerkez, who can say that they met expectations.

Everyone else has been pure s*** balls.

12 Apr 2026 11:15:24
C'mon lads, Bob is being OTT, but we can't actually say Wirtz has had a good season? Massive disappointment so far considering the price tag.

12 Apr 2026 11:25:49
Agree, a bit hyperbolic from Bob, but I do agree I've not seen one performance that resembles a generational talent that cost 100 million yet. For that money, Wirtz should be able to change a game on his own.



Next season will be defining, but to me so far he just looks like a City, ie, system player rather than someone who can take the game by the scruff of the neck and win it.

12 Apr 2026 11:40:40
JLC, agree mate, but the post was about Wirtz.

Agree, majority of players have underperformed, but they aren’t regarded as generational talent.

As it stands, Wirtz hasn’t been at the level of a KDB or, begrudgingly, a Bruno Fernandes.



I was hoping for a Stevie G / Suarez kind of player that can grab the game by the scruff and win it on their own.

But, as I said, it’s early days, mate.

12 Apr 2026 11:54:55
Wirtz has been just as poor as everyone else. No Liverpool player has had a really good season. None.

12 Apr 2026 12:13:04
Even Szoboszlai, LFC8? Some performances have been under par, but I think he has consolidated himself as being one of the best midfielders in the world this year, whether he plays deeper (which I prefer) or more advanced, he is generally excellent.

11 Apr 2026 23:20:04
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new video entitled, Allez Allez Allez - Wait We Won?}

11 Apr 2026 22:27:16
Eds I don't know if you've listened into that ex youth Italian and a few coaches complaining about why Italy hasn't been successful and that Italian youth squads are over flowing with foreign talent.

Do you think we need to review our home grown policy for Premier League, I do feel like each league needs to have as much emphasis on their best players (within reason) I worry money leads to bad process.

{Ed001's Note - yes 100%. I don't think youth teamers should be transferred - they are children.}

11 Apr 2026 22:06:34
Remaining games.
Everton away
Palace home
Utd away
Chelsea home
Villa away
Brentford home

Utd:-
Leeds home
Chelsea away
Brentford home
Liverpool away
Sunderland away
Forest home
Brighton away

Villa:-
Forest away
Sunderland home
Fulham away
Spurs home
Burnley away
Liverpool home
City away

Chelsea:-
City home
Utd home
Brighton away
Forest home
Liverpool away
Spurs home
Sunderland away

Utd have the easiest run-in, so I expect them to get Champions League.

Villa also not a bad run-in, but they have the Europa League to win. Think it's between us and Chelsea for 5th l.

12 Apr 2026 02:15:48
Let's hope Villa win the Europa League.

12 Apr 2026 07:46:44
If we were to only win our 3 remaining home games (which would mean effectively a 6 pointer with Chelsea), then I don't think Chelsea would catch us for fifth place.

I don't think we are consistent enough to trouble the top 4, unfortunately. Still hoping for a special Anfield night on Tuesday!!

11 Apr 2026 22:00:34
Watched the game in a pub in Manchester, had a family gathering (my missus side). I cheered the 1st goal n only me in the pub celebrated haha, got a few looks like I was from another planet but no one said anything, kept it a bit quieter when Salah scored the 2nd, just in case. 😅

12 Apr 2026 03:34:16
Which pub?

11 Apr 2026 21:23:51
It was good to get the points but I think anything was going to be an improvement on last Wednesday night. Also Fulham weren't very good. But three poins are better than none.

11 Apr 2026 22:22:47
The worry I have is the 'game management' in the 2nd half involved sitting back and hoping they didn't find a way through. If we manage to claw it back against PSG, it'd be a bit risky to try sitting back against Dembele, Doue, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia etc.

11 Apr 2026 22:50:17
We needed those points today, and glad we got them.

Good hunger by Gakpo today, I thought. Really good press by him.

Frimpong had a really good game.

And Ngoumha was fantastic.

Far from perfect, but hopefully some building blocks for the rest of the season. Need to secure that Champs League spot.

12 Apr 2026 04:19:56
It was a typical performance from a manager and team who are playing in fear. We didn't start well, then had a 10 min spell with 2 goals. And then sat back, and let Fulham play like prime Barcelona.

If Fulham was on it, we could have easily lost this game. I don't get the substitutions. Why let a kiddie who is having a great game get subbed at 65, and Salah, who we need on Tuesday, sub in extra time!!

12 Apr 2026 05:40:39
Cafu, Slot has always been absolutely terrible with substitutions. He has no idea, so no point trying to make sense of it.

12 Apr 2026 08:22:13
Big improvement on the PSG game. Rio is definitely a star in the making.
Feeling sorry for Trey again; he came on at the 90 minute mark against PSV and at the 89th against Fulham.

12 Apr 2026 10:32:34
That was not a big improvement on the PSG yes we won yes we scored two goals but that second half showed how poor our midfield and defence were Fulham could of very easy of had 3 or 4 goal it was only by the grace of God they never scored if we play like that V PSG i would expect them to put at least two of them chances away.

I posted edd25 the other day sticking up for our keeper my apologies to ed25 you were right he is not good enough he is like dracular he does not like crosses his kicking is awful and i am sorry to say i do not have confidence in him God help us if and when Ali leaves YNWA

{Ed025's Note - hes a decent back up and shot stopper Albey but for me not a replacement for Alisson mate...you need better..

11 Apr 2026
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled,

Click picture for larger image

11 Apr 2026 20:33:58
Goo, so can't do a Trent.

11 Apr 2026 23:06:07
Trent: There's an app for that!

11 Apr 2026 17:57:46
I'm sure it's a pipedream, but is there any hope that Salah and Robertson could change their stances on leaving if a new manager is confirmed?

Although I do think they still have the skill to contribute on the pitch under a better manager, I really think their leadership off the pitch would be crucial for whipping the team into shape before next season. Seeing those two give their all during fitness training could be the motivation that gets the whole squad back in shape fast.

I'm a little worried about the exodus of senior squad members in general. Obviously it has to happen as some point, but all at once after a terrible season with a massive rebuild because of a clueless manager who couldn't get the best out of anyone AND all for free is really concerning to me.

11 Apr 2026 19:00:20
We have to look forward, mate.

11 Apr 2026 19:10:05
You are not serious, are you? They have been great players, but the end is nigh.

11 Apr 2026 19:47:28
Sounds like nostalgia is getting the better of you. I love both players and they have been terrific for the club, but now is the right time for both of them, their best days are behind them.

11 Apr 2026 19:52:29
Snuggle, Salah's been tripe all season and Robbo was getting pelters on here all last season. Great servants, and legends of our club, but their time has come to an end.

11 Apr 2026 20:13:03
Both legends, but the time is right to move on and replace them. That's the difficult part.
Not a very good performance today, other than two quality finishes, but a win is a win. I guess.

11 Apr 2026 20:15:32
This is not nostalgia. Salah has been terrible one season when the whole team has been terrible, and Slot has persisted with Slot's terrible play that would never suit Salah's strengths even in his prime. I just don't believe people who claim "he's lost it" or "his legs went". He's class and can still offer great link up and goals if used as something other than a winger in a ponderous pass to death set up.

Robertson is different because, no, he's no longer a starter, but we have his replacement.

I think Robertson can be used sparingly, but can be a massive leader for us off the pitch. If he wants to go, I'll accept that.

But if they both want to go because of how this manager misused them, then that is a tragedy and not something I want to see. My concern is that it's becoming too much institutional knowledge leaving at once.

11 Apr 2026 22:20:15
Salah's gone. It happens to the best. We can't continue to pay someone 400k a week to live off past glory. It wouldn't matter if we brought Enrique in, he's still gone.

12 Apr 2026 02:05:52
Was Salah even that good against Fulham? Scored a classic goal but not much else of note if you're comparing him to previous seasons. He would still do really well in somewhere like Italy or USA where they get an extra few seconds of decision-making.
Liverpool legend leaving at the right time.

12 Apr 2026 08:04:40
I think he was very good, Darwin. Apart from the goal, there was that sensational pass that sent Gakpo (I think?) through that curved behind the defense for him to run on to. He also worked decently hard, harrying defenders, and generally made the right decision every time when he was in the final third.

11 Apr 2026 17:13:59
Luis Diaz wasn't leaving if his wages were doubled. He wasn't forcing his way out. He wanted a lot more money which he's getting at Bayern.
We all justified it because he was "28 and it's a good deal".
In hindsight, with the enormous contracts giving out to basically everyonelse since then, you question how badly we are being ran.
Would Diaz be significantly changing our play? No, but he's better than Gakpo and grav who imo, will not be fancied by a top manager.


Out of all the extravagant contracts given to a lot of players, with even Konates sitting to be signed, it's crazy now thinking about Diaz.
A player should not be guaranteed to have his wages doubled when they're already on very good money after 1 good season or heading into Trent territory.
We have how many players now close to 300k and upwards?! Where's the game changers and superstars warranting those wages? They're not in this Liverpool squad.

11 Apr 2026 17:30:00
He wanted out and wanted out for a while.
He wasn't exactly amazing for us anyway.
Blame the club for not replacing him, rather than for not trying to desperately cling onto him.

11 Apr 2026 17:32:51
BS - Lucho's agent had been publicly courting Barcelona and his dad said he wants Lucho at Barca.
Liverpool were never doubling his pay after he signed a 5 year deal at 4 times his previous deal when he joined.
We negotiated a good salary hike, but the offer from Bayern was a bit too much to resist.



People are blinded by his numbers, which are great, but in a shockingly bad league defensively this season. Bundesliga bottom 5 have conceded a record 300++ goals in this season combined!!! And Bayern have had cherry pickings, scoring 100 themselves!

11 Apr 2026 17:47:34
Yeah, this revisionist history with Diaz is overdone at this point. He was extremely frustrating to watch at times. He had moments of brilliance, but would so often have poor end product.

11 Apr 2026 18:02:20
Diaz wanted out and we got a good deal. Problem is we didn't sign any wingers, so we now have a front line devoid of pace. Diaz was/is very good, but he was always a downgrade on Mane and easily replaceable if we made the effort to sign a wide player, ie Semenyo, Fofana, etc. There are plenty out there.

11 Apr 2026 18:04:28
Hindsight is great and it's unfortunate that he has hit his peak this season, but, at the end of the day, we got a massive amount of money for a 28 year old winger heavily reliant on pace.



We might want to have him this season, but would we want him in two or three years when he's declined? He will become a headache for Bayern then.

I say we made a safe and sensible decision.

11 Apr 2026 18:09:07
Snugglepool, the revisionist history on here is rife at the moment. There's really no need for it, people don't need to fudge history to support the argument that Slot and Hughes etc need to go.

12 Apr 2026 02:08:08
Gakpo was better than Diaz when they were competing for the left wing.